Minneapolis Locksmiths Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis area locksmiths open up about their businesses

As a locksmith, what are some of the services you provide?

Holt: "I do pretty much anything with keys. I also install residential deadbolts, do repairs and provide lockout service."

Montgomery: "We do rekeying, lockouts, we make keys and I do lamp repair."

Bossert: "We provide residential high-security locks, primarily restricted keyway, non-pickable locks. We sell and service safes. We also do home lockouts."

Are there any types of jobs you won't do?

Holt: "I can't do new transponder keys because I don't have the program."

Montgomery: "I don't do safes."

Bossert: "We don't do automotive."

What's the average fee for customers locked out of their house, their car or their safe?

Holt: "That's relative to time of day and the emergency situation. It could be anywhere from $75 to $125 for a house. Cars depend on the type and situation. Most of the time I charge $45 for a car to be opened during the day. After 5 p.m. it would be more."

Montgomery: "Houses and cars are $56."

Bossert: "The minimum fee for a home is $75. A safe is hard to say because there's such a variety. A minimum fee would be $250."

What's your experience as a locksmith and do you belong to any professional organizations?

Holt: "This is my 20th year cutting keys. I'm a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America."

Montgomery: "I've been in the industry for 15 years. I'm a member of the Iowa Locksmith Association."

Bossert: "I've been in the industry for 32 years. The company is a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America."

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Holt: "Yes."

Montgomery: "Yes."

Bossert: "Absolutely."

What happens if the customer's ID is locked up and they can't get to it?

Holt: "Then I use my better judgment and if I don't feel good about it, I won't do it."

Montgomery: "I'll go to a house and have the police come and then I'll do the job after police verify who it is."

Bossert: "We're pretty strict about it. We have someone else verify and then we confirm the ID when the residence is opened, but typically that's all done in advance."

Do you have any advice for people who lock themselves out of their cars or homes all the time?

Holt: "Keep me on speed dial. Pay attention and make sure you have all your keys with you."

Montgomery: "Get a spare key and hide it."

Bossert: "Make sure that you have a spare set of keys."

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